Saturday, September 30, 2006

Are you sitting down?

Did the Telegram say what I think they said here?

Already, the U.S. House campaign of Nick Reid and Wisconsin Senate campaign of Shirley Riedmann are evidence that Republicans are making a strong push to gain strength in northwestern Wisconsin. They represent a stronger breed of GOP candidate than in recent years, and additionally suggest a trend is in the works.

Yes, that sounded like a compliment to Nick Reid's campaign.

If you want the short version, the Telegram is saying that Northwest Wisconsin may be trending toward Republicans.

We need to capitalize on this trend. It's the last day of the quarterly reporting period for campaign contributions. If you believe as we and the Telegram do that Nick Reid is running the strongest campaign since Scott West in 1996, then click here and send him a few bucks today.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Why Voters Are Ready for Change

According to this Rasmussen poll, Governor Doyle's approval ratings are 51-48% overall. Sounds good for Doyle, right? Digging deeper however, to look at the intensity of voters, 19% strongly approve, 28% strongly disapprove. That's a bad, bad sign for an incumbent. It means nearly 2/3rds of those who say they approve of Doyle aren't solidly in his camp.

We suspect that Dave Obey's approval ratings are similarly soft.

There is an environment for change out there, what are we doing to take advantage of it?

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Obey's Campaign Money

Obey receives $28,500 in campaign contributions from tribal gaming interests. Not only is this pro-gambling money, but it's just another example of how Dave Obey plays the Washington money game to stay in office - raising very little from the district he's supposed to represent.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Obey Votes Against Property Rights

Obey voted against property rights protections today. Last week he voted against requiring voters to show an ID, yes he voted against preventing voting fraud. This week he votes against strengthening private property. Has he read the constitution?

Monday, September 25, 2006

This Excuse Smells of Horse Droppings

Here's a squib from this Journal Sentinel story

Wausau Democrat Dave Obey, who was listed in a voting chart two weeks ago as "not voting" on a bill against horse-slaughtering, noted to us that he cast a vote of "not present." Obey said he voted that way in protest.

"I thought it was ridiculous with three weeks left in the damn session we sit there hemming and hawing about the health of horses and we weren't doing a damn thing about the health of human beings," said Obey.

Does this excuse smell like a horse stall to anyone else?

Let us translate for you . . . OK, the liberals in DC want me to vote for this legislation. They want to take away the rights of people to determine whether or not their old horse goes to the glue factory or to the slaughter house and sold to Europeans (who apparently really like horse meat). Common sense people in Northwest Wisconsin will think, what's next, outlawing cow slaughter because PETA thinks it should be done. I'll just say I'm protesting the context of the vote without having to take a position.

Or maybe Dave got stuck in an elevator or nature was calling . . . whatever, this was lame.

And one final note, come on reporter ask the next logical question, so Congressman Obey, I know you were (snicker, snicker) protesting (ha, ha) but how WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED on the MERITS of the LEGISLATION.

And who says reporters aren't lazy?

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Never Give Up

We at Obey Out get the feeling that there's too much "give up" and not enough "fight" in the Republicans in the 7th District. There's not enough enthusiasm to help Nick Reid win this race.

In 1994, no one gave Scott West a chance to win. No one gave him any money. Hardly anyone was helping him by volunteering, etc. Then, he lost by just a few percentage points, and we were all kicking ourselves for not giving or doing just a little bit more.

Let's not have that happen again. Nick Reid is working 100 hours a week trying to win this race. Yet, we've yet to get him enough money to run a winning campaign. How many of us have walked door to door in our neighborhoods to ask people to support Nick?

We at Obey out have contributed what we can, and we're volunteering time whenever we can. Are you?

Send him some money today by clicking here

Click here and let them know you can volunteer.

Nick Reid is working hard for us. What have you done to help?

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Obey Says No to Voter ID

Yesterday the U.S. House voted to require voters to show government issued photo-ID in order to vote. Dave Obey voted NO. Any questions?

Monday, September 18, 2006

Debates and Support

The following story ran in the Wausau Daily Herald. In it, Reid challenges Obey to 6 debates. Obey says only 3.

Also, Tyberg says he will support Reid in November. Way to go Jeff!!

U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, a Wausau Democrat who has been in Congress for 37 years, will face 26-year-old Republican Nick Reid of Rice Lake in the Nov. 7 general election.

Reid, a former press secretary for U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, R-Kan., won the GOP nomination in Tuesday's primary election for Wisconsin's District 7. Reid captured 59 percent of the vote in defeating Jeff Tyberg, 37, of Grantsburg.

"The primary season is over, and it's time to offer the voters a choice," said Reid, who has challenged Obey and Green Party candidate Mike Miles to six debates. "I hope that my opponents will allow all of the voters in this district to see and hear firsthand what our positions are so that they can make an informed decision on Nov. 7."

Obey already has set aside dates for three debates in central Wisconsin, including one Oct. 26 in the theater at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County. That debate will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with moderator Glen Moberg of Wisconsin Public Radio.

Miles of Luck also is challenging Obey in November but had no Green Party primary opposition.

Tyberg said he will support Reid in his campaign against Obey.

"I look forward to assisting him in achieving our mutual goal of winning the November election and providing the people of the 7th District with a real voice in Washington," he said Wednesday in a press release

Friday, September 15, 2006

Third Rate Name Caller

According to this article from the Post Crescent, Dave Obey resorted to name calling in the debate over the war on terror. We're so proud.

Rep. David Obey on Wednesday likened the House Republican leader's questioning of Democrats' patriotism to Joe McCarthy's Cold War witch-hunt for Communists.

"I come from the state of Joe McCarthy," said Obey, D-Wausau. "(I) know a third-rate McCarthy when I see one. And we saw one yesterday."

The majority leader, John Boehner of Ohio had said that Democrats who criticized President Bush's speech on Monday, "are more interested in protecting the terrorists than protecting the American people."

If you're scratching your head over Obey's reaction, we are too. This is the same guy who felt like it was alright for the New York Times to leak information on a LEGAL program to watch potential terrorists.

I guess Obey's theory is, when someone starts telling the truth about me and I don't like it, I'll call him a name. How old are you Dave, 9 or 69?

And now we comment on all the Democrats moaning, wailing and gnashing of teeth over the President's September 11th speech. They didn't like that he made a case for staying in Iraq. They said that was political and not befitting the occasion. What?!?!?! Regardless of why we got into Iraq, that's where the terrorists are fighting us. That's where they have vowed to drive us out and claim victory for their Islamic-facist (sorry Russ, but that's what they are) cause.

And don't let the Democrats fool you, if Bush hadn't made the case for Iraq, they would have been all over the news this week saying he was running away from his Iraq policy.

And finally, what's up with John McCain? The Supreme Court didn't say that military tribunals were unconstitutional, they said the President didn't have the legal authority to conduct them. Congress is trying to give the President the authority and McCain is blocking it. Not a good time to position yourself in the middle for your presidential aspirations Johnny boy.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Reid Wins - Hits Ground Running with Debate Challenge

Reid's Victory Remarks

I want to thank all of our supporters for making this night possible – this is only the beginning – and I want to thank my good friend, Jeff Tyberg, who I admire greatly. I just spoke on the phone with Jeff, and he sends his regards to all of you. He also asked me to pass along an invitation to all of those listening tonight – that we unite together now as one voice to elect a congressman that will finally represent our values and bring a hope for a better tomorrow to the good people here in the Seventh District of Wisconsin.

Reid Challenges Obey, Miles to Six Debates

"The primary season is over, and it's time to offer the voters a choice," said Reid. "I hope that my opponents will allow all of the voters in this district to see and hear first hand what our positions are so that they can make an informed decision on November 7th."

Reid's proposal includes debates in Wausau, Superior, Chippewa Falls, and Amery. The first debate would take place on Wisconsin Public TV, with the second taking place on WSAU's 55 Feedback program. Next up Reid offers to debate on local radio stations in the Polk county area, followed up by a televised debate in Superior on a broadcast station. Reid proposes the final two debates take place on broadcast TV stations in Chippewa Falls and Wausau.

"This series of six debates will allow the voters in each region of the district an opportunity to hear all sides of the arguments and make an informed decision," said Reid. "I look forward to debating Mr. Obey and Mr. Miles, and I urge them to accept the challenge as soon as possible."

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Results

Results found here.

11:52 Media Calls Race for Reid with 77% reporting and a 59-41 lead. With Reid's current vote getting in Marathon, Reid's final % could reach 60.

11:45 Reid up 59-41 with 75% reporting. word is, Tyberg still hasn't conceded. Probably will soon. As many as 2000 votes outstanding in Marathon county where Nick is leading 68-32.

11:30 OK, we're calling the race for Reid, but we give credit to Tyberg for running a spirited campaign. Final margin is in doubt, but will probably settle between 57-59 for Reid. We expect the media will officially call in the next 30 minutes.

11:10 58-42, 60% reporting

10:49 59-41, 47% reporting

10:35 57-43, 43% reporting

10:17 57-43, 30% reporting

10:03 57-43, 26% reporting

9:53pm 57-43, 17% reporting

9:36 pm seems to be stabilizing, 56-44, 13% of precincts

9:17 pm closer now, 57-43 Reid

9:05pm 2% reporting, 64-36 Reid.

8:55 pm It's still early, only 5 precincts reporting.

Vote Today

Regardless of where you come down in this primary today, please excercise your right to vote.

If you're looking for a recommendation, we endorsed Nick Reid.

UPDATE: Want to know where they stand before you go vote today, check out the 7th GOP Primary Debate.

Monday, September 11, 2006

9-11 Legacy: Obey Tried to Cut Intelligence Funding

"Three persons who chaired or were ranking Democrats on Armed Services subcommittees for part of the 1993-99 period—Pat Schroeder, D-CO; Neil Abercrombie, D-HI; and Marty Meehan,D-MA—also voted for every fund-cutting amendment that was offered during their tenures. Dave Obey, D-WI, the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee that holds the House’s keys to the federal checkbook, voted seven out of eight times to reduce intelligence funding."

That's a quote from this article in Front Page Magazine.

As we remember 9-11, let's remember that seven of the eight times Obey faced a vote on funding our intelligence operations after the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 until 1999, he voted to CUT our ability to monitor potential threats.

If for no other reason this fall, we should toss Obey out on his ear for these seven votes. It's incomprehensible to us that as Osama Bin Laden was declaring war on America, Obey could sleep at night after voting to cut the intelligence funding to try and protect us from attacks.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Debate Coverage

Here's the Duluth News Tribune story - another pretty bland story, but at least someone covered it. Now that it's after Labor Day, the Obeyite Reporters can't pretend he's running unopposed.

Friday, September 08, 2006

An Appropriate Reminder

We know it seems like we love YouTube a little too much lately, but we found this ad from Progress for America today and feel like you should see it.


Thursday, September 07, 2006

Five Myths About Gitmo

Dave Obey's liberal friends have gone bonkers over things like Guantanamo Bay, and the terrorist surveillance program. This video debunks one set of myths.

In Case You Missed It

Check Out This Link It's a look at what it would be like if Democrats controlled Congress.

Reid the stronger pick

While we agree, those weren't our words, they came from today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorsement in the 7th District Republican primary.

You can find the endorsement here

It ends by saying Reid's "experience with the inner workings of Congress makes Reid the better pick."

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

If at first you forget to file

. . . forget to file again. Jeff Tyberg has once again been noticed with a failure to file his FEC report. The letter was sent September 1st. They gave him 4 days to file and it's now September 6th. We hate to kick a guy when he's down, but if he can't file his report on time, twice in a row, that does speak to how he might run his Congressional office.

The Primary Debate

It's our understanding that the two Republican candidates will debate again this Thursday on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Two things we found interesting based on reports from the last debate to keep an eye on this time.

Tyberg called for abolishing Social Security in the last debate. While we at Obey Out think Social Security was a poorly designed system and is badly in need of reform, Tyberg's position is both unworkable and unelectable. It's a pipe dream to think you could just wave a magic wand and make the Social Security sytem disappear. A better approach would be to take a step in a new direction by keeping the government's hands off our money and let it grow, but keeping a system in place that still helps those who need it the most. It's the best we could get and we should be fighting for it.

Tyberg also said something along the lines that people in the United States don't know how good they have it when it comes to gas prices. He says other countries pay much more and we shouldn't be complaining so much. That pretty much speaks for itself.

Otherwise, look for the two candidates to agree on a lot - which is good, they are both Republicans after all.

By contrast, this Rhode Island debate between two Republicans had a little more fireworks, including this exchange on the death penalty and applying it to Bin Laden.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Telegram

The Daily Telegram continues to pump out pro-Obey propaganda. Here's our favorite lines from the latest piece praising Obey for a dental clinic in Superior.

Gandhi once said, “The best test of a civilized society is the way in which it treats its most vulnerable and weakest members.”

Thank you, Congressman Obey, for passing the test.

It was signed by Kate Boyle.

Well Kate, Gandhi did not say that the best test of the federal government is the way in which it treats its most vulnerable and weakest members, he said it was the best test of "civilized society." This is where liberals get it so wrong. It is up to us as citizens in our communities to meet that test, not the federal government.

Kate's view is a lazy (i.e. liberal) view of the world. Why couldn't Kate or someone else in Superior when they saw a need for dental care, gone to local dentists in town and asked them to donate a few days of their services every year to take care of those who legitimately could not afford dental care. My guess is, if a need was there, the dentists of Superior could have and would have met it. Instead, a bunch of liberals got together and said, if we could only get Dave Obey to send us money, we can fund a clinic for a few years. Then, we can go hat in hand again back to the federal government for more later.

What Kate and the liberals of America have done is created a dependency on the federal government instead of the self-reliance and personal responsibility our founding fathers used to build the greatest nation on the face of the earth. Do Kate and Obey and the liberals of America believe our founding fathers would approve? We don't.

One Week Out

With one week to go to the primary, what do we know?

1. Dave Obey has enjoyed an extra two months of not having to campaign because there was a Republican primary.
2. Based on FEC reports, the winner of this primary will have no money left over to start the general election. That will most likely be Nick Reid, who is running far ahead of where any Republican has ever been on Labor Day, but is suffering from having to make sure he wins the primary first.

That's the bad news. The good news . . .

Republicans across the district need to become more energized. In a year where being a Republican in America doesn't seem to be cool, Mark Green is running a statistical dead heat for governor and there is a marriage amendment on the ballot. Both are good news for a Republican congressional candidate in the 7th district.

So, if you have been sitting on the sideline - when the primary is over, open your checkbook or get out your wallets, pull out your credit card and make an online contribution. If you're like us and have already made your choice, send a last minute contribution today.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Did you hear the debate?

If you didn't catch the Daily Herald article on the 90 minute Republican candidate debate, it's a real yawner. We didn't get a chance to hear the debate, so if you can fill us in on more of the highlights, leave a comment here.

Obey's Machine in Action

Here comes another Obeyite to defend his left-wing Congressman.

We aren't going to post the entire letter to the editor here because quite frankly, it's quite windy, just like Obey. I think the strategy is, if we drone on and on long enough, people will figure we know what we're talking about.

This letter to the editor is right off the Democrat Party/DailyKos talking points memo. Call Republicans "neo-cons" and say we are in "bed with big oil." Ironically, that's the title of the letter, which the writer begins by saying Nick Reid must be using Republican talking points. Talk about hypocritical.

We could stop, just call this guy a windbag and a hypocrite, which is clear, and let it go at that, but we wouldn't be blogging if we could just let the rest of the manifesto go.

Let's remember this about big oil. No one person owns more than 1% of any oil company. After they pay about 30% to the federal government in taxes, the rest of the money is either re-invested or paid to shareholders - that's the overwhelming majority of us with mutual funds, IRA's, and 401(k)s.

The writer says the goal is energy independence. Yes, that's the goal, and the point of Reid's press release is that a key short and mid-range need is to PRODUCE MORE OIL AND GAS AT HOME, and OBEY VOTES AGAINST EVERY EFFORT TO INCREASE THAT PRODUCTION. Alternative fuels are not going to come online overnight. It will take the next 10-25 years to make sure ethanol, hydrogen, etc, will be cost-efficient and in mass production. If ANWR were open, it would not destroy the (desolate) environment there. No scientist without a crazy environmental agenda believes that claim. The same with the Outer Continental Shelf.

If Dave Obey were really for the average joe as this writer claims, he would work for the short and long term solutions because that's what will help keep prices down.

We really could go on and on, including about how the writer compared Reid to the Nazis, but you can draw your own conclusions from that one.

We do want to end with this, we are encouraged that Obey is attacking Reid already. He knows Reid is a legitimate threat. Send Nick a contribution today.